Prof. M.D. Tevfik Rifki Evrenkaya

I was admitted through the ER at Acibadem Kozyatagi with what felt like a heart attack—crushing chest pain, sweating, the works. Dr. Tevfik Rifki Evrenkaya was the internal medicine specialist on call. Within minutes, he calmly ruled out cardiac issues but noticed a subtle tremor I'd dismissed for months. He ordered specific thyroid and adrenal tests no one had ever considered. Turns out I had a rare pheochromocytoma causing episodic hypertensive crises. His ability to connect disparate symptoms during an emergency and his meticulous, almost detective-like approach saved me from a misdiagnosis. He coordinated seamlessly with the endocrinology and surgery teams. Five years symptom-free now, all thanks to his sharp clinical eye during what seemed like a straightforward emergency.

My 8-year-old daughter, Elif, had been to three pediatricians for 'recurrent stomach bugs' that left her lethargic and pale. As a last resort, we saw Dr. Evrenkaya for an internal medicine consult. He didn't just look at her chart; he got on her level, asked her to draw how her tummy felt, and listened to her describe the 'butterfly fights' inside. He suspected something beyond gastroenteritis and ordered a very targeted stool test and blood work. He diagnosed a mild but chronic Giardia infection missed by others, likely from a school trip. His gentle manner with a frightened child and his willingness to investigate a complex presentation in a young patient—outside the typical pediatric box—was remarkable. She recovered fully after the correct treatment.

At 78, with diabetes and a history of minor strokes, my health felt like a tangled knot. My routine checkup with Dr. Evrenkaya was never just 'routine.' He spent an hour reviewing my new medication from the cardiologist, my ophthalmologist's report, and even asked about my recent falls at home. He identified a dangerous interaction between a new pill and my old diabetes medication that everyone else missed. He didn't just adjust prescriptions; he created a unified, simple management plan, coordinated with all my other doctors via detailed notes, and had his nurse call me weekly to check on my dizziness. He treats the whole person, not just the organs. For an elderly patient with multiple issues, he is the indispensable conductor of the medical orchestra.

Following a complex Whipple procedure for pancreatic issues, my recovery was fraught with unexplained weight loss, fever, and digestive chaos. My surgeon referred me to Dr. Evrenkaya for post-surgical internal medicine management. This wasn't a typical follow-up. He meticulously analyzed every drain output, every lab shift, and my nutritional intake. He pinpointed a developing internal fistula and a subtle deficiency no standard panel checked for. His approach was like engineering: systematic, precise, and data-driven, yet he explained it with immense patience. He designed a phased nutritional and medicinal plan that turned my recovery around. His expertise in navigating the complicated aftermath of major surgery, bridging the gap between surgery and full rehabilitation, was nothing short of brilliant.